While we recently introduced you to the 10 best things to do in Valencia, here are 5 of the best day trips you can do from Valencia.
Often known for its beaches, the region of Valencia has much more to offer with several towns and hidden gems that deserve a day of exploring.
1. Peñiscola
The town of Peñiscola is located 150 km north of Valencia in the province of Castellón. This seaside town is the ideal place for a day trip from Valencia or Barcelona and is mainly visited for its castle and nice beaches.
Aside from its beaches of fine sand, the historic center is a must-see during your visit. Made up of small blue and white narrow streets, you will see many craft and souvenir shops as well as many small bars and restaurants. These narrow cobbled streets will lead you to the Peñiscola Castle, the emblem of the town built in the 13th century, with amazing views over the Mediterranean Sea.
The anecdote: Some scenes from the popular Game of Thrones series were filmed in Peñiscola.
The little extra: Weather permitting, you can enjoy a swim in the calm waters around the old town.
2. Montanejos
Montanejos is a small village located in the province of Castellón, 90km from Valencia. The visit of the village is nice but the main attraction of this place is the Fuente de los Baños, a hot spring.
This hot spring, located in a beautiful scenery, maintains a constant temperature of 25 degrees Celsius all year round (in our opinion it was a little cooler 🙂 ). Swimming is therefore possible all year round and is particularly busy during summer with many people looking to cool down.
There are also all kinds of hiking trails if you want to explore the surrounding hills.
The anecdote: According to legend, King Zeit-Abu-Zeit built Arab baths there so that the women in his harem would remain beautiful and young forever.
The little extra: The Fuente de los Baños hot spring is also known for its medicinal properties thanks to the very high concentration of minerals. It is recommended to bathe there to regenerate the skin and to treat renal diseases.
3. Isla de Tabarca
The island of Tabarca is located 5 km off the Spanish coast and about 20 km from Alicante. It is the largest island in Comunidad Valenciana and also the only inhabited with 55 permanent residents. Due to its small size (0.3km²), the island of Tabarca is a perfect day trip if you want to go for a day on an island paradise.
The visit of Tabarca can be split into two parts. On one side of the island, you will find a little charming town with narrow streets, quainted houses, a baroque-style church, some old lines of defense used to fight pirates and amazing views of the Mediterranean sea.
On the other side of the island, you will find a much wilder area and one of the most beautiful marine reserves in the region. Its crystal-clear waters and abundant reef life make it a popular spot for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. Many beaches and coves are accessible all around the island.
The island can be busy so we recommend you to avoid the high season for this day trip.
The anecdote: Until the end of the 18th century, the island of Tabarca was a refugee for Berber pirates on the Coast of Alicante. In 1760, to end this problem King Carlos III ordered to fortify and to repopulate the island.
The little extra: To completely disconnect and enjoy the tranquility of the island, you can stay overnight and sleep in one of the hotels in Tabarca.
4. Cuevas de Sant Josep
The Caves of Saint Joseph or Coves de Sant Josep are located at the door of the Sierra de Espadan Natural Park in the province of Castellón, 50km from Valencia.
The Coves de Sant Joseph are home to the longest navigable underground river in Europe. 2700m long, you will get into a small boat for 800m to visit this impressive landscape with stalagmites, stalactites and whimsical shapes of the rock wall. These caves were inhabited around 15,000 years ago as evidenced by the cave paintings which are today part of Unesco’s world heritage.
This is a perfect day trip for both adults and children with an average temperature of 20 degrees Celsius all year round. Perfect for a hot summer day !
The anecdote: Despite numerous visits by speleologists, the origin of the river and the end of the cave remain unknown to this day.
The little extra: Numerous concerts and activities take place in the Caves of Sant Joseph throughout the year.
Source : https://covesdesantjosep.es/
5. Penyagolosa
For those looking for a sporting day-trip, you will find many hiking and cycling routes in the region of Valencia, and especially in the province of Castellón which is one of the most mountainous provinces in Spain.
La Penyagolosa (1813m) is the highest peak in the province of Castellón and the second in the Valencian Community. Located 140km from Valencia, it is particularly known for being the finish of an international trail starting from Valencia. Fortunately, many much shorter hikes will allow you to enjoy the amazing views at the top.
A 9km round trip with 600m of ascension from the Sanctuary of Sant Joan de la Penyagolosa is the shortest option and many longer routes are also possible.
The anecdote: On days with good visibility, it is possible to see the Balearic Islands!
The little extra: We advise you to visit on your way back the picturesque village of Xodos, built on the side of the cliff.
